On March 26, 2026, a lecture on the calligraphic art of Wen Zhengming, presented by Mr. Zhu Mu, was held in Room 107 of Xueming Building at the Xianlin Campus of Nanjing Normal University.

 Mr. Zhu Mu is a council member of the Chinese Society for French Literature, a scholar, and a bibliophile, currently employed at a state-owned financial institution. He has studied calligraphy and painting since childhood and has dedicated nearly four decades to researching Wen Zhengming’s calligraphy, possessing deep expertise in both Wen’s calligraphic works and theoretical scholarship.

Under the title "The Subtleties of Ink and Clouds: Exploring the World of Wen Zhengming’s Calligraphy," Mr. Zhu Mu presented a comprehensive overview of Wen Zhengming’s calligraphic art, covering the development of the calligraphy scene in the early Ming Dynasty, Wen Zhengming’s life, the transmission of his calligraphic tradition, the appreciation of his works, the authentication of his calligraphic pieces, as well as his artistic achievements and influence on subsequent generations.

 Regarding Wen Zhengming’s calligraphic origins, the speaker noted that his approach was broad and eclectic: he began with clerical script, drew inspiration from the Jin and Tang dynasties, and incorporated elements from the Song and Yuan dynasties.Against the historical backdrop of the rise of the “Wumen School,” he not only inherited the legacy of his mentors and peers—including Shen Zhou, Wu Kuan, and Li Yingzhen—but also, through an academic approach that balanced “specialization” with “broad learning,” developed a personal style characterized by a gentle yet vigorous elegance and strict adherence to formal principles.During the work appreciation segment, the speaker analyzed Wen Zhengming’s extant works in detail, tracing the evolution of his calligraphy from early works characterized by imperfect composition and non-standardized brushwork to his later mature style. His small-script calligraphy is meticulous and dignified, his running script is fluid and expansive, and his large-character running-cursive script is vigorous and masterful. He emphasized that while Wen Zhengming’s calligraphy appears straightforward and conventional, its true spirit is revealed in the subtleties.

Regarding the authentication of Wen Zhengming’s calligraphic works, the speaker noted that, given the large number of extant pieces—including both printed editions and authentic manuscripts—authentication requires a comprehensive evaluation.Taking the work *Record of the Drunken Scholar’s Pavilion* as an example, its “stiff and rigid” style differs from Wen Zhengming’s typical calligraphic style. When authenticating works, one should examine his social circle, the time of creation, comparisons with contemporaneous works, and seals; only through multidimensional cross-verification can a relatively reliable conclusion be reached. Understanding authentication methods not only aids in the collection and study of works but also deepens our understanding of the intrinsic characteristics of Wen Zhengming’s calligraphy.

At the conclusion of the lecture, Mr. Zhu Mu summarized Wen Zhengming’s artistic achievements in calligraphy. He noted that Wen Zhengming both inherited tradition and pioneered innovation; while drawing on diverse influences, he developed a distinctive style of his own, establishing a new school and dominating the calligraphy scene of the mid-Ming Dynasty.His calligraphic works are most renowned for their small-script masterpieces, though he was equally proficient in running, cursive, clerical, and seal scripts, establishing himself as a calligraphic master of comprehensive skill, consummate artistry, and prolific output. In terms of artistic style, he integrated the aesthetic sensibilities and techniques of literati painting into his calligraphy. His calligraphic style, much like his paintings, is both vigorous and rounded, elegant and transcendent, presenting a unique charm that is clear, graceful, and distinctly classical. The Wumen School of Calligraphy reached its zenith under Wen Zhengming, who is revered by later generations as its undisputed founder. His calligraphic art spread far to Japan, attracting a continuous stream of followers and exerting a profound and enduring influence.